Mitch Lomax: Same name, different position at Lake Oswego

Jack Lomax now is at Oregon State. (Steve Dykes/Special to The Oregonian/2009)

Another Lomax is contributing at Lake Oswego, but unlike his father and two older brothers (Nick and Jack), Mitch Lomax isn't a quarterback. Instead, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound sophomore is playing linebacker for the No. 6 Lakers (5-2, 3-0 Three Rivers League).

Coach Steve Coury has been bringing Lomax along slowly and was ready to start him at linebacker last week before he suffered a shoulder injury in practice. Lomax also plays tight end in junior varsity games but has focused mostly on defense with the varsity.

"He's got everything," Coury said. "He's got size, he can run, he's pretty instinctive at linebacker. Depending on work habits and how much he wants to dedicate to it, he's got enough God-given ability to be a big, big-time player."

Coury said Lomax, who is questionable for Friday night's game at West Linn, reminds him of former Lake Oswego linebacker Gabe Miller, a senior defensive end at Oregon State.

"His biggest attribute is the way he runs," Coury said. "He's got a little bigger frame than what Gabe had. If he could get Gabe's work ethic, boy, he'd be a nationally recruited kid."

At middle linebacker, Lomax covers lots of ground with his speed, which Coury guessed to be near 4.6 seconds over 40 yards. He closes fast and has a long wingspan and a bit of a mean streak, traits that could serve him well at defensive end, a spot where the Lakers have considered using him.

Lomax also excels in baseball and basketball. He pitched for Lake Oswego in the Little League World Series.

"I really don't think he's quite done growing. He's got shoes that he could ski on," Coury said. "Right now he's a three-sport athlete, and in between all the sports, he's just got to find time to get in the weight room and fill out that frame."